3D models of normal and malignant breast epithelial cells
Mathematical Systems Biology of Cancer
May 03,2006 09:15 AM to 10:00 AM
Speakers:
Kenny, Paraic
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Abstract: |
Culturing cells ex vivo has led to a substantial increase in our understanding of cellular
processes over the past half century. However, cells cultured on flat, two-dimensional plastic
substrata rapidly lose many aspects of the differentiated phenotype and behave, in many respects,
differently to cells in vivo. The Bissell laboratory has pioneered the use of three-dimensional
cultures of cells in gels consisting of the basement membrane proteins to which these cells adhere
in vivo. Using these techniques we have succeeded in maintaining the differentiated phenotype in
mouse and human mammary epithelial cells and recapitulate much of the complex architecture of
the mammary gland. Furthermore, we show that these assays effectively distinguish malignant
from non-malignant cells. I will discuss the application of 3D culture techniques in cancer biology,
emphasizing the important contributions these can make to understanding treatment response,
identifying key molecular targets for drug treatment and prediction of patient outcome. |
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